Greater Miami Jewish Federation 2018 Pacesetter Event


Pacesetter Event Co-Chairs Amir and Jane Gold, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, Federation Chair of the Board Amy N. Dean and General Campaign Chair Jeffrey Scheck
Hundreds of Miami’s leading Jewish philanthropists gathered for a powerful program at the Greater Miami Jewish Federation Pacesetter Event at the Hilton Miami Downtown.
Chaired by Jane and Amir Gold and Robert Zarco, the event raised more than $2.2 million for the Greater Miami Jewish Federation/UJA Campaign to care for people in need, support vital programs and strengthen Jewish life in Miami, in Israel and in more than 70 other countries around the world.
The evening included remarks from community leaders, including Federation Board Chair Amy N. Dean and Federation General Campaign Chair Jeffrey Scheck. In his speech, Scheck detailed Federation’s direct involvement and financial support in bringing more than 14,000 Ethiopian Jews home to Israel in one miraculous night in 1991. And then, to everyone’s surprise, Hagit Yaso, an Ethiopian-Israeli winner of Kokhav Nolad – Israel’s version of American Idol – appeared on stage singing “Killing Me Softly.” She returned later that evening for additional selections.
In a poignant moment that welcomed the third night of Chanukah, Rabbi Gary Glickstein of Temple Beth Sholom led the room in the prayers for the holiday. Each table then lit their own Chanukiah, filling the room with nearly 200 candlelights, honoring the spirit of the holiday and the warmth of community.

Marissa Zarco and Pacesetter Event Co-Chair Robert Zarco
Keynote speaker Rabbi Joseph Telushkin discussed the powerful impact our words can have on others, a theme he explored in his book, Words That Hurt, Words That Heal. He challenged guests to go 24 hours without saying anything negative about anyone.
Federation gratefully acknowledges its 2018 Proud Business Partners for their generous support of The Pacesetter Event. Platinum Sponsors were Bilzin Sumberg, Attorneys at Law; The Collection; Greenberg Traurig, P.A.; The Lacquer Foundation; The Miami Herald and Wells Fargo. Gold Sponsors were Akerman, City National Bank, Crystal & Company, Kaufman Rossin, Kent Security Services, Sapoznik Insurance & Associates and South Florida Legal Guide. Silver Sponsors were Meland Russin & Budwick, P.A. and The Meltzer Group. Bronze Sponsors were Carlton Fields, Houlihan Lokey, Iberia Bank and J.P. Morgan. Pearl Sponsors were Apollo Bank; BDO; Miami Design District; Element Pointe Advisors; H & CO.; Miami Design District; Morrison Brown Argiz & Farra, Certified Public Accountants; Northern Trust; Omnia Family Wealth; Perry Ellis International and Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
For more information about the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, please visit JewishMiami.org or call 305-576-4000.
Past Board Chairs Brian Bilzin and William Lehman
Raquel Scheck and Rosa Rok
Federation President and Chief Executive Officer Jacob Solomon and Richard Yulman
Dorothy and Aaron Podhurst, a Federation Past President
Murray and Ilene Kossman
Michelle Diener and a Federation Past Board Chair Barbara Black Goldfarb
Robert Hertzberg and Federation Immediate Past Board Chair Robert G. Berrin
Alan Kluger and Edie Laquer
Adam Lustig, Russell Jacobs and Sol Genet
Matan and Michelle Ben-Aviv with Amanda and Matthew Adler
Robert and Moj Danial
Ryan Bailine and Andrew Wolf
Mikki Futernick, Maxine Schwartz, Morris Futernick and Jacob Solomon
Evan Berger, Alexandra Lehson and Michael Wagner
Louis and Patty Gurkin
Rachel Sapoznik and Jacqueline Sapoznik
Ray Ellen Yarkin with Daphna and Ariel Bentata
Rick and Allison Mars with Paul Kruss
A Federation Past President Michael Adler and Steven Gretenstein
Steven and Dr. Michele Scheck
Mindy Cassel, Adrienne Messing and Fran Berrin
Dr. Joel and Adele Sandberg, Shirley Lehman and a Federation Past President Michael Scheck
Tati Katz and Carolynn Friedman
Wendy and Steven Kravitz, a Federation Past President, with Rabbi Joseph Telushkin (center)
Keith and Mishelle Singer with Hagit Yaso (center)
Ed Beiner and Daniela Zanzuri-Beiner
Ariel and Lily Furst
Belinda Gilbert and Beth Ertel
Israel and Tania Lapciuc
Howard and Sharon Socol with Hagit Yaso (center)
Peter Russin, Steven Gretenstein, Barbara Shrut and David Deutch
Lisa Jerles, Alan Kluger and John Sumberg